20 Ways To Save Money on Your Wedding
- The average wedding costs upwards of $30,000 — but it doesn’t have to.
- Try to save on the major budget line items like the venue and the dress
- Cutting costs on favors and entertainment can also add up.
- Some items, like invitations and decor, also offer more affordable DIY opportunities.
Love may be the greatest gift of all, but money might come second. But if you are paying for your own nuptials, you’ll definitely want to find ways to save money on the wedding.
The average cost of getting hitched topped $30,000 in 2024, according to a survey from wedding website Zola. Fortunately, you can spend a lot less and still enjoy all the fun and festivities.
Major expenses
Let’s start at the top, with the most expensive wedding budget items. The average costs are from a 2024 survey by The Knot.
Venue
Average cost: $12,800
The first thing you need to plan a wedding is a venue — and for many couples, renting one is the single largest of the wedding expenses. If you can go a non-traditional, less expensive route (think: a friend’s scenic upstate barn), it’s likely worth taking.
Even if you rent a traditional venue, you might save big bucks by choosing an off-peak date or time. You can also split up the event, having the ceremony at one site and the reception at another.
Keep in mind, too, that you can always try to negotiate. The worst they can say is no.
Guest list
Average cost: $304 per person
Your love for each other may be very vast, but if you want your savings to be big as well, consider a smaller guest list. You can focus on celebrating with the people that you cherish the most
While the per-guest can vary a lot depending on everything from invitations to alcohol to catering (see below), generally speaking, a smaller wedding is generally less expensive.
According to Zola, a wedding with 75-100 guests averages around $25,000, while one with 500 guests costs nearly double that figure.
But with a guest list of fewer than 10, you might get away with spending less than $12,000.
Catering
Average cost: $85 per person
Sitting down to eat together can be one of the most important parts of a wedding. In fact, “companion” literally means “someone you break bread with.” But there’s a big difference between a simple loaf and a five-course feast.
While you might not want to skimp too hard on the meal, try some simple ways to cut down the per-guest catering fee, such as:
- Choosing a buffet instead of plated meals
- Using the venue’s in-house caterer
- Hiring a less-expensive local restaurant instead of a larger catering company
Photography and videography
Average cost: $2,300-$2,900 for each service
The cost of professional photography and videography services can stack up quickly, and there may be extra fees for photo printing rights, photographer travel fees and more.
Consider hiring a talented but less-experienced photographer, who may be happy to charge less. Try reaching out to students in the arts or photo departments at the local college.
Or if you use a more expensive professional, limit the amount of time they work. Also, ask friends and family members to capture additional moments on the high-powered cameras we all already carry in our pockets, or set up a DIY photo booth.
Wedding planner
Average cost: $2,100
Planning a wedding is, literally, a full-time job. That’s why wedding planners exist.
Not using a planner may seem like an easy way to save money on your wedding, but they might actually help you cut costs, since they know their way around the venues and services, which can save you time — and time is money.
Just be sure you have that conversation with the planner you hire up front, along with asking for their own fees.
Wedding party
Average cost: $1,000+ per person (on their end)
While this one might not take money out of your pocket as a couple, the people you ask to stand beside you on your big day can end up paying a hefty price for the privilege.
Do them a favor by finding ways to save them money while still enjoying their role as bridesmaid or groomsman. For example, avoid destination bachelor(ette) parties, offer affordable attire options to purchase or rent, and let them know they don’t need to bring a gift. You can also offer to cover some of the expenses such as hair and makeup.
Attire and accessories
Next, it’s time to get dressed — for less.
Wedding dress or suit
Average cost: $2,000
The cost for the outfit you get married in ranges wildly. Some might buy a once-in-a-lifetime gown for thousands of dollars, while others might choose a simpler ensemble they could wear again.
If you think you’ll only wear the dress or tux once, consider renting instead of buying. You might also find a fabulous pre-owned wedding dress or suit for a fraction of what you’d spend on a new one.
Accessories and shoes
Average cost: $300+
“Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.” Those are the rules — not everything you wear must be new.
From shoes to jewelry to cufflinks, you might be surprised what lies waiting in your loved ones’ closet. And again, buying used is always an option, especially with the proliferation of online marketplaces.
Hair and makeup
Average cost: $290
The person you love may love you best as you look when you first wake up, but it’s a wedding and there will be cameras, so you may still want to fix yourself up.
Chances are you’ll probably do a great job (and save money) if you do your own hair and makeup. If you happen to have a talented friend, ask if they would help you out for your big day.
Decorations and flowers
We dressed the people — now it’s time to dress the venue.
Decor
Average cost: $1,900
Decor is one space where DIY is totally doable and can even be fun. It’s also a way to express your personal style as a couple.
Instead of simply numbering the tables, for example, you might make themed markers with names based on important places in your journey together.
In some cases, the venue may also be able to help on the decor front, or at least direct you toward partner businesses willing to cut you a deal.
Flowers
Average cost: $2,800
One great way to save on your floral costs is by using only local, in-season flowers, which will be easier and cheaper to source.
You might also consider mixing real flowers with fake ones or using less expensive non-floral table centerpieces, like floating candle displays, lamps or fruit baskets.
Linens
Average cost: $10-$50 per table
Even something as simple as a tablecloth can end up racking up a big bill. If you’re having a larger reception, consider using a slightly cheaper fabric or asking the venue if they’ll provide the linens.
You could even consider making a bold design choice and not having any tablecloths. (Still, you’ll probably want napkins.)
Invitations
Spreading the word doesn’t need to cost a lot. Here are a couple of ideas on how to save.
Digital invitations
Average cost: Free – $2 per invite
We do just about everything online these days, and you can send your wedding invitations digitally, too.
Along with being budget-friendly, digital invitations are also eco-friendly, since they cut down on paper use and transport costs.
You may find some platforms that offer them for free, but using their guest management services and other tools can cost a dollar or two per invite. Still, that’s far less than most paper invitations.
DIY invitations
Average cost: $150+
Paper invitations give your guests a nice memento to magnet to their fridge. But if you have them professionally designed and printed, they can easily run more than $500.
Fortunately, DIY invitations can cost half that amount or less, depending how you do it and your guest count. Simple, handwritten cards can run less than a dollar apiece including postage, and the personal touch can be its own sweet memento.
Entertainment and music
Music makes it a party, and here, the savings can be huge.
DJ vs. a band
Average cost: $1,700 (DJ); $4,300 (band)
Generally, a DJ is more affordable than a live band, though they will still probably cost you $1,000 or more. DJs may be more flexible and able to handle crowd requests, while a band creates big atmosphere, but also comes with a bigger price tag.
Personal playlists
Average cost: $0 (if you already subscribe to a music streaming service)
Want to make sure every single one of “your” songs gets played, and pay almost nothing for the privilege? Consider creating your own personalized playlists for each part of the event. If you already subscribe to a music streaming service, this option could cost you nothing but time well spent.
Make sure to check with the venue about compatibility with their sound system. In some cases, you may need to rent one or more speakers to sync with your device.
The reception
The reception is all about fun, and you can make it fun without spending a fortune.
Cake and desserts
Average cost: $550
Let them eat cake — but don’t make it one of the top-tier wedding expenses.
Rather than shelling out for a massive centerpiece cake, think about having a smaller, decorative cake to cut with your sweetheart for the photo, and cheaper sheet cakes or alternative desserts for guests.
Alcohol
Average cost: $2,800
The idea of a full open bar sounds enticing, but if you have one, it can easily become one of the largest wedding expenses.
Chances are most people will be happy with a more limited cocktail list, and that gives you the romantic opportunity to create a couple personalized signature cocktails.
And even if you choose the cheaper wine-and-beer option, no one will complain.
Favors and extras
With a wedding, the little things can really add up, so be careful here too.
Wedding favors
Average cost: $450
Wedding favors make a sweet memento for guests to remember your special day. But “sweet” doesn’t have to mean “extravagant.”
A small treat like chocolates or mints, doesn’t cost much at all. Or you could skip the favors, and make a donation to a charity instead.
Hors d’oeuvres
Average cost: $10-$30 per person
The cost for offering hors d’oeuvres can add up quickly, and they might not be worth it if you’re serving a full meal at the reception.
Skipping the snacks is one of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding, and it will keep your guests light on their feet for dancing.
For some, going big is very important, even if they spend a little more than they have on hand.
It’s always best to avoid debt, but if you do go down this path, be sure to shop around before taking out a wedding loan. The same is true for men borrowing to buy an engagement ring.
Your love should last forever, but if you’re not careful with wedding financing, your debt will too.
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